NAVY EA-18G GROWLER CRASHES INTO SAN DIEGO BAY; CREW SURVIVES
There have been multiple aircraft crashes making headlines in 2025, and now, the San Diego community is experiencing their own. Reports from the U.S. Navy of an EA-18G Growler crash have come at an unfortunate time when many are looking for answers about aviation practices within the military. Learn more on this developing story below.
Two Pilots Survive Navy EA-18G Growler Crash Near San Diego Bay
The good news? Both Navy pilots survived an EA-18G Growler crash into the San Diego Bay. However, this incident continues the trend of weird military crashes involving aircraft in 2025.
As the crew was approaching its landing at Naval Air Station North Island, the aircraft crashed near Shelter Island around 10:16 a.m. local time.
EA-18G Growlers are a combination of firepower and electronic warfare by taking the body of the F/A-18F Super Hornet platform and equipping it with EW equipment necessary for modern conflicts.
What We Know
It’s worth noting that the details of the Navy’s EA-18G Growler crash are likely to evolve as the incident is new and more details will come to light.
What we do know is that the aircraft was a part of the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, which is stationed out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington.
A variety of local businesses were affected, as the crash took place near several notable sites, including the Kona Kai San Diego Resort.
Once both pilots were rescued by a fishing charter, they were then transferred to a nearby U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations boat.
From there, they were transported for treatment at the Hillcrest Medical Center at UC San Diego Health.
The crew survived after safely ejecting from the EA-18G Growler, which was in the area to take part in an exercise, though not to join the current training session involving the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
The Aftermath and Investigation
After the crew had been recovered, emergency responders tackled debris and fuel from the crash; however, there are reports of oil seeping into San Diego Bay in the aftermath.
The Coast Guard then reinforced the safety zone to keep other vessels away.
Naval Base Coronado set up an emergency operations center, and the crash site is still under assessment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Navy EA-18G Growler Crash Echoes Past Incidents
Risk comes with serving the nation; however, while we often may associate negative incidents with warfare, simple travel and training events pose significant risks to service members.
Sadly, in October 2024, another Navy EA-18G Growler crash involving two pilots, Lts. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans and Serena N. Wileman, ended in tragedy when they died in the mountains near Mount Rainier.
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